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Impressive Performance

Research In Motion ends third quarter with amazing 12 million subscribers

Waterloo, ON - Research In Motion Limited (RIM) reported third quarter results for the three months ended December 1, 2007 (all figures in U.S. dollars and U.S. GAAP).

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Volunteers - This Generation

Volunteers Want More Than a Heart-Warming Experience, Says Prof

Volunteering is not the casual charitable activity it used to be

Guelph - Volunteering is at the forefront of people's minds during the holiday season, with many even adding it to their list of New Year's resolutions. But if community agencies want to attract and retain today's volunteer, they need to offer more than just an opportunity to give back, says a University of Guelph researcher.

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Ontario Tourism

Ontario Government Doubles Funding to Promote Economy-Boosting Festivals and Events 57 Events In Communities Across Ontario Supported Last Year

TORONTO - The Ontario government is doubling the funding available for economy-boosting festivals and special events to promote tourism throughout the province, Tourism Minister Peter Fonseca announced yesterday.

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Retail Consumer

Sales Soften in Ontario Retail trade October 2007

Statscan - Weak sales in Ontario nearly offset sales gains in eight provinces, leaving retail sales in Canada virtually unchanged in October. Sales edged up slightly (+0.1%) to an estimated $34.5 billion. Since 2004, retail sales in Canada have grown rapidly but have stagnated for the past several months.
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Media Deal

Google-DoubleClick Deal Win-Win for Consumers

Triumph of New vs. Old Economy

Washington, D.C. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) approved Google’s acquisition of online advertising company DoubleClick, allowing the two to collaborate on new technologies to improve the relevance and effectiveness of Internet ads.

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Board of Director Appointment

Dr. Jim Cash Appointed to BSG Alliance Board of Directors

Renowned Board Member of Multiple Fortune 500 Companies and Former Harvard Business School Leader to Help Guide World Class Governance and Strategy for Sustained Rapid Growth

AUSTIN, Texas - BSG Alliance Corporation, creator of a unique platform of on demand software and services that enable organizations to become next generation enterprises, announced that James I. ("Jim") Cash, Jr., PhD. joined the company's board of directors this month.

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Pension Reform in Nova Scotia

Steelworkers applaud pension reform, time now to save jobs

HALIFAX and TORONTO - The United Steelworkers (USW) said Thursday the final step in reforming Nova Scotia pension law is a great victory for working people and must be followed up by a commitment to save jobs.

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NSERC Appointment

Dr. Arlene Ponting Appointed to the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

OTTAWA - The Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), appointed Dr. Arlene Ponting to the Council.

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RR in Business Class

British Airways Offers The Absolutely Incredible Club World

Holiday Sale 70+ Percent Savings On Club World Business Class Fares From All 23 North America Gateway Cities

NEW YORK - A holiday sale offering savings of at least 70 percent off Club World flat-bed business class seats from North America to London is being offered for sale by British Airways, Dec. 20, 2007, through Jan. 3, 2008.

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Manufacturing - 50% Decline

Storm Clouds on the Horizon-Strong Exports Offset Canadian Decline in Manufacturing for Chemical Producers

OTTAWA - Strong export sales are offsetting a diminishing domestic demand for basic chemicals and resins, according to a Canadian Chemical Producers' Association (CCPA) 2007 year-end business survey of its members. A dramatic 50% decline in sales to Canadian customers may signal fundamental changes to North American manufacturing with production shifting to offshore locations, primarily Asia.

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Regional - Garbage Pickup

Thursday December 20, 2007

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CTT - December 2007 Update

Waterloo Region Continues to Boast Strong Labour Market and Healthy Economy

Waterloo Region - Waterloo Region, known as Canada’s Technology Triangle, ranked in the top quartile of many of the key metrics, when compared to the 27 Canadian Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs), as highlighted in the latest economic trend analysis released yesterday by Canada’s Technology Triangle Inc.

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Technology - Marketing

NCR First to Offer Self-Checkout with Two-Sided Receipt Printing

Technology offers paper savings and unique promotional opportunities for NCR FastLane™ customers

DAYTON, Ohio – NCR Corporation has announced that its innovative two-sided thermal receipt printing technology (2ST) is now available for NCR FastLane, the global market-leading self-checkout.

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Media - KidLINK E-Zine

kidsLINK E-zine - November/December 2007 issue

IN THIS ISSUE

>150th Anniversary Update
>Tools for Life
>Community-Based Child and Family Therapy
> New Walk-In Service at Access Centre
> Comprehensive Residential Services
> Child and Family Journal
> Fundraising
> Child Care Connection

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Research and Development

Spending on research and development - 2007 intentions

Statscan - Total spending on research and development (R&D) in Canada is projected to increase slightly in 2007, according to preliminary estimates.


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World Disaster Report

Time to tackle discrimination in disasters, says Red Cross report
Megan Rowling

Reuters - AlertNet - Discrimination threatens lives in emergencies, and governments and aid agencies should pay more attention to the needs of vulnerable groups who suffer most in disasters, the Red Cross said in a report released on Thursday December 13, 2007.

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Union Demand for Ontario House

CAW calls for fair deal for Ontario in House

TORONTO - On behalf of the CAW's 260,000 members across the country, CAW President Buzz Hargrove is demanding the fair distribution of new seats in the House of Commons. Recently, the 800 delegates to CAW Council endorsed a resolution calling for the federal government to implement a readjustment formula for new ridings that treats all provinces the same.

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Personal Income Tax Index

Canada Revenue Agency: 2008 Indexation Adjustment for Personal Income Taxes

OTTAWA - Each year, certain personal income tax amounts are indexed to inflation using the Consumer Price Index data, as reported by Statistics Canada.

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Kitchener Facilities

City of Kitchener facilities' holiday hours

KITCHENER - City of Kitchener facilities will operate during the holidays on the following schedule:


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Social and Environmental

Germany To Urge Greater Global Co-Operation.

"Germany will on Wednesday urge the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Trade Organization (WTO) to work together better in managing the social and environmental impacts of globalization.

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Labour Wages

Construction Union Wage Rate Index for November 2007

Statscan - The Construction Union Wage Rate Index (including supplements) for Canada remained unchanged in November compared with the October level of 140.2 (1992=100). The composite index increased 0.9% compared with the revised November 2006 index (139.0)

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Environment - Reducing

2008: The Year for Greener and Leaner IT

Eight Tips to Reducing the Environmental Impact of Computing in the New Year

PLANO, Texas - Even though the leaves have fallen and there is a feel of winter in the air, there seems to be a lot of green around -- and it is not just in the evergreen boughs on your mantle, but rather it is in the drumbeat of change for business and society.

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Recognized Ontarioians

Order Of Ontario Recipients Announced

Recipients Of Ontario's Highest Honour Named

TORONTO - Twenty-seven recipients were named yesterday for appointment to the province's highest and most prestigious honour by the Honourable David Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.

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Go Transit - rejected offer

Union rejects employer's offer

TORONTO - ATU Local 1587 met with GO Transit management yesterday and informed them of the members' rejection of their Final Offer.

Wednesday December 19, 2007

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Construction Industry Growth

Canadian Construction Industry to Experience Similar Performance in 2008 as 2007; Leveling Off Expected in 2009

OTTAWA - The construction industry in Canada is set to continue another year of strong growth, according to an economic forecast report released jointly by the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) and the Construction Sector Council (CSC).

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Hockey Day in Canada

Cambridge Ice Hounds Make Hockey News

Local Team to be Featured on CBC Hockey Day In Canada

Cambridge - Hockey Day in Canada is coming to an arena near you as the Cambridge Ice Hounds Special Hockey Team will play home to the world-renowned Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) Hockey Day in Canada program.

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New Family Transportation

Nissan FORUM Concept Utilizes Design and Technology Innovations to Create a Unique Family Activity Space

MISSISSAUGA - The Nissan FORUM, an exploratory design concept developed by Nissan Design America, Inc. (NDA), represents the next revolution in family transportation.

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Appointment

Kevin P. D. Smith Appointed to the Board of the Canada Foundation for Innovation

OTTAWA - The Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), appointed Dr. Kevin Smith to the Foundation's Board of Directors.

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Business Excellence Gala

Celebrating the Leaders of our Community 11th Annual Business Excellence Awards Gala

The Chamber recognizes outstanding leaders in our business community at our 11th Annual Business Excellence Awards Gala to be held February 21, 2008 at Bingemans Marshall Hall, Kitchener.

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All Day - Alternate Day

Catholic Board Completes Move to All Day – Alternate Day Kindergarten

All Schools To Make Switch in September, 2008

Kitchener – The Waterloo Catholic District School Board today announced that full implementation of an “all day – alternate day” Kindergarten program in all 47 of Waterloo Region’s Catholic elementary schools will be completed in September, 2008.

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Keeping Kids Active

CANADIAN SKI COUNCIL JOINS FIGHT AGAINST CHILDHOOD OBESITY
Helping Children Get Active with the Grade 5 SnowPass

This winter, the Canadian Ski Council and its partner resorts across Canada are once again taking a stand against childhood obesity through the Grade 5 SnowPass program.

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Economic Impact

U of G, OMAFRA Partnership Worth Billions, Report Says

GUELPH - The partnership between the University of Guelph and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) has tremendous economic impact, returning more than a billion dollars a year to the province, according to a new economic analysis.

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Interest Rate Re-set

NEW INTEREST RATE FOR VARIABLE-RATE ONTARIO SAVINGS BONDS

Flexible And Secure Investment Option For Ontario Residents

QUEEN’S PARK - The Ontario government announced that the interest rate for the Variable-Rate Ontario Savings Bonds (OSBs) will be re-set at 4.10 per cent for the next six months.

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Christmas Cheer

Canadian Soldiers bring Christmas Cheer to People with Disabilities in Southern Afghanistan.

TORONTO - In an attempt to bring some Christmas cheer to the poorest people of Kandahar region - people with disabilities, Canadian military personnel recently distributed much needed supplies including flour and cooking oil.

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Major Pipeline Project

Siemens awarded major contract from TransCanada's Keystone Pipeline project to supply the pipeline between Canada and the United States

MISSISSAUGA, ON - Siemens announced it has been awarded a contract from TransCanada, valued over $200 million (CDN) (150 million Euro), to supply the Keystone Pipeline project (Keystone) with electrical equipment, electrical power supply and pumping equipment.

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Same-day Travellers

Travel between Canada and other countries

Same-day car travel by Canadians to the United States hit its highest level in almost seven years in October as the loonie surpassed parity with the US dollar. At the same time, same-day car travel by US residents to Canada hit a record low.

Tuesday December 18, 2007

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Canadian Consumers Still Paying More

Consumer Price Index November 2007

Statscan - Fuelled by higher gasoline prices and mortgage interest cost, consumer prices increased 2.5% between November 2006 and November 2007, a slight acceleration from the 12-month change of 2.4% posted in October.

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Retail Store Opening

Retail expansion continues for local retailer

Waterloo - Liz Stolper opens second retail store in Waterloo. JBU Waterloo is located at 95 King Street South in Waterloo, right across from Janet Lynn's Bistro and Knarr Jewellery.

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Entrepreneurship - Division Launch

Waterloo-Based, Flexible Electronics Pioneer PackagingOne Launches Services Division

Waterloo, Ontario-based flexible electronics pioneer PackagingOne Corporation announced the launch of its Professional Services Division.

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Winter Driving

Motorists failing to adjust driving to road conditions in major storm results in over 1,650 crashes

ORILLIA - Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner Julian Fantino said many motorists failed to adjust their driving behaviour to road conditions on the weekend as a major snow storm swept across Ontario.

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Environment -Climate Change

City of Guelph to work with federal and provincial governments to reduce fuel consumption and emissions

City registers for Fleet Challenge Ontario, works towards cleaner air.

Guelph - The City of Guelph is among 12 Ontario municipalities, chosen from 50, to take part in a comprehensive E3® (Energy, Environment, Excellence) fleet review offered by the Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance (CEEA), in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Transportation and the Ontario Ministry of Finance.

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Energy for Cities

Miami to host biodiesel plant

Miami, FL - Oilsource Holding LLC and Greenline Industries LLC are teaming up to develop a biodiesel plant capable of producing up to 60 million gallons per year in Miami, Florida.

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Quality Award Winner

Premiere Van Lines, Kitchener, ON Recognized As Atlas' 2007 Eastern Regional Quality Award Winner

Kitchener - Doug Auld, CMA, President of Atlas Canada, Oakville, ON is very pleased to announce that Premiere Van Lines, Kitchener. ON has been honoured with Atlas' prestigious “Quality in Motion” award for the 2007 award year.

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Canadian Tax Changes

The Canada Revenue Agency Informs Canadians on Tax Relief Measures

OTTAWA - Minister of National Revenue Gordon O'Connor today assured Canadians that the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is ready to support taxpayers to ensure that they understand the new tax measures passed by Parliament on Friday and are able to take full advantage of them.

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Deregulated Trade

Toxic toy law misses big picture

Steelworkers say it focuses on symptom, not disease

TORONTO - Proposed legislation on toxic toys ignores the root problem, the United Steelworkers (USW) union said yesterday. It overlooks where and how toxic toys are made, focusing on the symptom more than the disease.

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Global Climate Change

UN Climate Change Conference Concludes With Adoption Of Bali Roadmap

“The UN climate change conference ended in Bali Saturday with the agreement of 187 countries to launch negotiations on a crucial international climate change deal.

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Energy - Biopact - Biomethane

Biomethane presented as most efficient biofuel at NAAC Conference

Biopact - At the recent National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC) Contractor 2007 Conference, in the UK, biofuels took center stage. Farmers were impressed by a presentation by Tim Evans, whose company – Renewable Zukunft - presented results from a 'Mini Test'.

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Food - Independent Investigation

Rice on Canadian store shelves contaminated - Government fails to detect illegal, genetically engineered variety

MONTREAL and VANCOUVER - An independent investigation by Greenpeace has found rice sold in Canadian supermarkets to be contaminated with an experimental, genetically engineered variety accidentally released into the environment.

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Printing - Financial Results

Transcontinental in 2007: Growth in revenues and adjusted operating income before amortization despite sharp rise in Canadian dollar

MONTREAL - Transcontinental announced today that it recorded adjusted net earnings per share of $1.50 for 2007, which is slightly lower than the range of $1.52 to $1.65 announced at the beginning of the fiscal year.

Monday December 17, 2007

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2008 Economic Forecasting

Recession, bear market unlikely in 2008, predicts TD Waterhouse

- Positive factors in U.S. will outweigh negatives and yield high single-digit returns
- Canadian equity markets will lag U.S. but still generate single-digit returns
- Fixed income will earn more in 2008 than 2007
- Europe will again be best international market

TORONTO - TD Waterhouse released its 2008 Investment Outlook, offering insight into future market trends and their impact on investment portfolios. The Outlook predicts that, despite continuing fall-out from the sub-prime lending crisis in 2008, several positive factors in the U.S. economy will more than offset the negatives and will cause the U.S. stock market to rise for its sixth consecutive year.

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Ontario 2007 - Mini Budget

Ontario “Mini-budget” Cuts Capital Tax Rates for 2007

The Ontario government announced that it will reduce its capital tax rates for 2007 and eliminate the tax for manufacturers and resource companies as of January 1, 2008, more than two years earlier than originally scheduled.

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Global Economies

2005 International Comparison Program Preliminary Global Report Compares Size of Economies

WASHINGTON – The International Comparison Program (ICP) today released new data showing the world economy produced goods and services worth almost $55 trillion in 2005 and that almost 40 percent of the world’s output came from developing economies.

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Mixed Messages to Consumers

Federal Government Moves to Fatten up Canadians
Bruce Cran

OTTAWA - With Federal Government Ministers Jim Flaherty (Finance), David Emerson (International Trade), and Gerry Ritz (Agriculture) poised to announce the passing of legislation to substantially increase the fat content of cheeses sold in Canada, The Consumers' Association of Canada wonders if Health Minister Tony Clement is asleep at the switch.

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Gift to WLU

Ipsos Reid donates significant national polling data to Laurier

WATERLOO — Research firm Ipsos Reid is donating three sets of nationally significant opinion-poll data to Wilfrid Laurier University — a gift that represents a goldmine for researchers looking for insight into the views of Canadians during important periods in the country’s recent history.

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Summer 2008 Employment

Students can apply online now for summer work

KITCHENER - Students who are looking for a motivating, energizing and rewarding summer job should be aware that the city's annual Hiring Now! program is underway.

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Ontario - Mini Budget

PwC Sources Available: Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review Introduces Tax Relief

Ontario - Ontario’s Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review, delivered on December 13, 2007, includes tax measures that promise relief to:

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Climate Change Appointment

Prof Named to Climate Change Panel

Guelph - A University of Guelph geography professor has been appointed to a new provincial expert panel on climate change adaptation.

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RFID - Education

Banyan Commerce ties up with world leader RFID4U to offer free RFID courses in Canada

TORONTO - Banyan University (Banyan U), the training division of Banyan Commerce announced their alliance with RFID4U, the world's largest RFID elearning portal.

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Community Prosperity

MORE LAND AMBULANCE FUNDING FOR WATERLOO REGION

Funding Increase Meets McGuinty Government 50/50 Commitment Made in 2006

KITCHENER – The Ontario government is providing Waterloo Region with $915,206 to strengthen land ambulance services that provide crucial care to patients in this area, John Milloy, MPP Kitchener Centre, and Leeanna Pendergast, MPP Kitchener-Conestoga, announced December 14, 2007.

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Biz Pal - Municipality

BizPaL Launched in Brockville

BROCKVILLE - Starting and running a business in the City of Brockville just became easier thanks to BizPaL, a new online business permit and licence service that saves time spent on paperwork and helps entrepreneurs start up faster.

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Paint Brands Divested

Competition Bureau Resolves Concerns in Paint Merger

Ottawa - The Competition Bureau announced that it has reached a consent agreement with Akzo Nobel N.V. (Akzo Nobel) to divest certain paint brands and other assets in Canada, resolving competition concerns resulting from its acquisition of Imperial Chemical Industries PLC (ICI). The agreement was filed with the Competition Tribunal.

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Customer Retention

Investors Group selects NexJ Systems' CRM solution as the platform to deliver their integrated Consultant desktop

NexJ Contact(TM) for Finance will provide CRM capabilities and be the client-centric hub to deliver all enterprise client information to Financial Consultants

TORONTO - NexJ Systems, Inc., innovative software provider of next-generation Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solutions for the financial services industry, today announced that Investors Group has selected NexJ Contact(TM) for Finance as the platform for their integrated Consultant desktop.